Voters_Guide_

League of Women Voters^®
of Fluvanna County

Who's on the Ballot in Fluvanna County, and what are their positions on issues of importance to citizens they would serve?

Who's on the ballot?. Background. Republican Candidate for President. Democratic Candidate for President. Independent Candidate for President. Senatorial Candidates. Democratic Candidate for US Senate. Republican Candidate for US Senate. Independent Green Candidate for US Senate. Libertarian Candidate for US Senate. 5th District Congressional Candidates. Republican Candidate for House of Representatives. Democratic Candidate for House of Representatives.

Who's on the ballot?

Electors for President and Vice President of the U.S.
Barack Obama President (D) Joseph Biden VP http://www.barackobama.com
John McCain President (R) Sarah Palin VP http://www.johnmccain.com
Chuck Baldwin President (IG) Darrell L. Castle VP www.votejoinrun.us
Bob Barr President (L) Wayne A. Root, VP http://www.lp.org
Cynthia McKinney President (G) Rosa Clemente VP http://www.gp.org
Ralph Nader President (I) Matt Gonzalez VP http://www.aipca.org
U.S. Senate
Mark R. Warner (D) http://www.markwarner2008.com
James S. Gilmore III (R) http://www.jimgilmoreforsenate.com
Glenda Gail Parker (IG) www.gailparker.us
William B. Redpath (L) http://www.redpath2008.com
U.S. House of Representatives ~ 5th District
Tom S. P. Perriello (D) http://www.perrielloforcongress.com
Virgil H. Goode (R)* http://www.virgilgoode.com
Party Abbreviations: (D) = Democrat; (R) = Republican; (IG) = Independent Green; (L) = Libertarian; (I) =Independent; (G) = Green;

= Incumbent _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Registration deadline: Monday, October 6
Election day: Tuesday, November 4 Please be prepared for lines at all polling places. Last day to vote by absentee ballot: Saturday, November 1
For more information about using an absentee ballot, registration, districts, precinct location, or to confirm that you are registered to vote:
State Board of Elections http://www.sbe.virginia.gov
Fluvanna County Registrar of Voters http://www.co.fluvanna.va.us 434-589-3593
For information about the candidates, issues, & links to additional resources: http://www.vote411.org

Voter's Guide on the issues

This Voters' Guide is published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. The League has a long tradition of publishing the verbatim responses of candidates to questions important to voters. The League offers this Voters' Guide to assist citizens in their decision making process as they prepare for participation in the 2008 presidential election. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
GROUND RULES
1. All qualified presidential candidates were invited to provide biographical information and responses to five issue specific questions. Candidates were qualified if they met the following criteria: 1) the candidate must have made a public announcement of her/his intention to run for President; and 2) the candidate must qualify for the ballot in enough states to win a majority of electoral votes; and, 3) the candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act's minimum contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, based on the most recent data publicly available on the FEC Web site as of August 8, 2008.
2. Responses were limited to 50 words and truncated after the 50th word.

John McCain

BIOGRAPHY: John McCain graduated from the Naval Academy and served for 22 years as a naval aviator. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and the Senate in 1986. He has served as chairman of the Commerce Committee and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: What, if anything, do you believe the federal government should do to control global climate change? I support developing a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2050, providing tax credits for alternative energy, promoting zero-carbon nuclear power, reducing the federal government's carbon footprint, funding research into clean-coal technology, and offering incentives for America's automobile industry to develop electric cars.
COST OF HEALTH CARE: What should be done at the federal level, if anything, to combat the high cost of health care? Under my plan, American families will receive $5,000 tax credits to purchase insurance, either through employers or the private market++insurance that can follow them if they change jobs or leave the workforce. I will work for reforms to lower costs and provide coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions.
ECOMONIC DISPARITY: What, if anything, should the federal government do about the growing economic disparity between the middle class and the well-to-do? We must spur growth, create jobs, improve educational attainment, and enhance financial security. My plan will keep income and payroll taxes low, reduce the price of gas, double the dependent exemption, bring down health-care costs, give deserving homeowners new fixed mortgages, slash our high business taxes, and expand trade.
EDUCATION: What, if anything, should the federal government do to create the world's best educational system for all children in America? Our education system must focus on standards, accountability, and choice. My plan calls for recruiting highly qualified teachers in the neediest communities, empowering parents to choose the best schools for their children, expanding online educational opportunities, providing low-income families with access to tutors, and funding professional development for teachers.
U.S. STRATEGY - RISING GLOBAL POWERS: What should the U.S. strategy be towards rising global powers like Russia and China? As President, I will work to establish good relations with other nations. At the same time, I will stand up for democratic values and human rights, and I will oppose aggression and international lawlessness that threaten our security.

Barack Obama

BIOGRAPHY: Obama began his career as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side and headed a voter registration drive. Obama practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law. He served eight years in the State Senate before his election to the U.S. Senate. He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: What, if anything, do you believe the federal government should do to control global climate change? I believe the federal government should pursue multiple paths to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the threat of global climate change, including implementing aggressive cap and trade requirements to reduce U.S. emissions by 80% from 1990 levels and investing heavily in clean energy and advanced vehicle technologies.
COST OF HEALTH CARE: What should be done at the federal level, if anything, to combat the high cost of health care?
My healthcare plan will make aggressive investments in cost-cutting technologies and will place more focus on prevention and chronic care management. The net result will be to bring down the costs of healthcare spending by $2,500 for a typical family, annually, and lower the expense of Medicare's services.
ECOMONIC DISPARITY: What, if anything, should the federal government do about the growing economic disparity between the middle class and the well-to-do? I will cut taxes for the middle class and roll back some of the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000 to restore fairness to the tax code. I will make long term public investments in R&D, clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing to create millions of good-paying jobs.
EDUCATION: What, if anything, should the federal government do to create the world's best educational system for all children in America? I will strengthen public schools by expanding early childhood education, reforming and funding No Child Left Behind, recruiting and rewarding high-quality teachers, and expanding afterschool and summer learning opportunities. I will create a $4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit and expand financial aid to make higher education affordable for all.
U.S. STRATEGY - RISING GLOBAL POWERS: What should the U.S. strategy be towards rising global powers like Russia and China? We must enhance our abilities both to collaborate and compete with China, while being vigilant about China's military modernization and respect for human rights. As we seek a future of clear-eyed engagement with Russia, we must ensure Russia acts as a force for progress, not regression to past conflicts.

Ralph Nader

BIOGRAPHY:
Attorney, author, and consumer advocate, named by Time Magazine one of the "100 Most Influential Americans in the 20th Century." Over 4 decades of public service. Helped establish the OSHA, EPA, Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Safe Drinking Water Act, Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and Freedom of Information Act.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: What, if anything, do you believe the federal government should do to control global climate change? The government should stop subsidizing fossil fuels: oil, electric and coal mining interests. Invest in renewable energy that is efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly: wind and solar power. Encourage more efficient automobiles, homes and businesses. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Create an independent Oceanic Protection Agency. Adopt a carbon pollution tax.
COST OF HEALTH CARE: What should be done at the federal level, if anything, to combat the high cost of health care? Adopt a private delivery, free choice of hospital and doctor, single payer public health insurance system. This would save $350 billion annually by eliminating exorbitant executive pay, advertising, computerized billing fraud and abuse, and apply those savings to comprehensively cover everyone without increasing taxpayer costs. Lower costs through bulk purchasing.
ECOMONIC DISPARITY: What, if anything, should the federal government do about the growing economic disparity between the middle class and the well-to-do? Unfair legislation allows the middle class to suffer while the rich entrench their status. To correct this we should enact a living $10 wage, adopt a fair tax, and provide equal pay for women. We must end corporate subsidies and bailouts. Repeal NAFTA and the anti-union Taft/Hartley Law.
EDUCATION: What, if anything, should the federal government do to create the world's best educational system for all children in America? Increase civic education and decrease standardized testing. Repeal "No Child Left Behind" Act. Do not tie test performance to school funding. Provide full funding for pre-school and nutrition programs. Get product marketing out of the schools. Ensure that the nation's crumbling schools are repaired within 3 years.
U.S. STRATEGY - RISING GLOBAL POWERS: What should the U.S. strategy be towards rising global powers like Russia and China? The US should be a humanitarian superpower. Our foreign policy must redefine global security, peace, arms control, an end to nuclear weapons and expand the many assets of our country to assist with major initiatives against global infectious diseases. Stop support of foreign dictators. Human rights come before trade, profit.

Senatorial Candidates

The League of Women Voters of Virginia sent questionnaires to candidates for the United States Senate, whose names were qualified to appear on the November 4, 2008 ballot. Responses to the questions appear as written by the candidates and are not edited except to comply with Voters' Guide style and stipulated word and space limitations. A "//" at the end of the biography and/or responses indicates the word limit was exceeded. The candidates' original responses are on file with the League of Women Voters of Virginia. Candidates are listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot, as determined by lot by the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Mark R. Warner

BIOGRAPHY: Warner served as governor of Virginia from 2002 until 2006. His administration inherited $6 billion in budget shortfalls, and ended with a surplus. He is a former high-tech business person, co-founding Nextel. He and his wife, Lisa Collis, and their three daughters, Madison, Gillian, and Eliza, live in Alexandria.
What is the most critical ECONOMIC problem faced by the U.S. and what legislation will you propose to solve it?, I believe we need to create a real national energy policy. We need a fresh approach that invests in renewable energy, allows states to drill offshore in an environmentally safe manner and eliminates our dependence on foreign oil. By making these new investments in solar, wind, nuclear, cleaner coal and electric and hybrid vehicles, we can create new world-class jobs here at home and make our nation more secure. A new energy policy will also help us take-on the threat of climate change, letting us reassert America's moral standing in the world.
How should the U.S. deal with current IMMIGRATION issues? Our immigration policy demands a comprehensive solution. First, we need to secure our borders by increasing border patrols and utilizing improved technology to prevent undocumented people from entering the country. Second, we must enforce existing immigration laws. The federal government should hold responsible business owners who knowingly hire undocumented workers. Finally, we need to deal with the estimated 12 million workers who are here illegally. They should be required to pay back taxes, pay a fine, and learn English as they begin the path toward legal status.
Should the federal government ensure all Americans have access to affordable HEALTHCARE? Please explain. Yes. It is morally wrong that 47 million to 50 million Americans don't have access to healthcare in this country, but it is also wrong that we pay twice as much per person as our competitors around the world and we don't get twice as good a value. We need to bring down the price of prescription drugs, so Americans no longer pay the research and development cost for drugs for the rest of the world. We must make sure every American has access to affordable, universal health care coverage.

James S. "Jim" Gilmore III

BIOGRAPHY: A Richmond native, Jim Gilmore is the son of working class parents who served as a member of U.S. Army counter-intelligence; a crime busting prosecutor; Attorney General and Governor. The former chairman of the anti-terrorism Gilmore Commission, Jim Gilmore is a recognized authority on national security.
What is the most critical ECONOMIC problem faced by the U.S. and what legislation will you propose to solve it?, The most serious economic problem facing our nation is the need for a comprehensive energy plan and a lack of domestic energy resources. As a member of the U.S. Senate I will push for a broad based energy plan that will include conservation, the use of alternative energy sources like wind and solar, an expansion of nuclear energy, clean coal technology and lifting the government's restrictions on drilling for oil offshore as well as in ANWR in Alaska. If we increase America's domestic energy resources, including drilling for oil that is now restricted by Congress, we can bring down the price of gasoline, create jobs and make our nation independent from hostile foreign energy sources.
How should the U.S. deal with current IMMIGRATION issues? We are a nation of immigrants. Immigrants from all over the world have been extremely important to the development and the success of our nation. However, if we are going to keep channels of legal immigration open, we must enforce our existing immigration laws. As a former member of U.S. Army counter intelligence and the former chairman of a much heralded government commission dealing with the homeland security concerns facing our nation, I believe keeping America safe requires that we control our borders. And as a former prosecutor and Attorney General, I believe we must obey the law.
Should the federal government ensure all Americans have access to affordable HEALTHCARE? Please explain. Every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality, and reliable health care. In order to achieve this goal, I support a broad range of health care reform measures including tax reform to help people buy health insurance and maintain health savings accounts; making it easier for small businesses to provide health care for their employees by allowing them to form Association Health Plans; implementing medical liability reforms to reduce frivolous lawsuits and bring down health care costs; improving health information technology to decrease medical errors and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical treatments.

Glenda Gail Parker

BIOGRAPHY: Business owner consultant, mother of three, grandmother of five. Senior budget analyst with over twenty years experience with high-dollar value government programs, retired Air Force Officer. Woman of strong faith and family values. Light-rail advocate.
What is the most critical ECONOMIC problem faced by the U.S. and what legislation will you propose to solve it?, There are two: the energy crisis and the $9.5 Trillion Federal debt. We must encourage alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, and remove the financial barrier that prevents the building of Rail. Rail is the best way to ease the painful traffic congestion we experience everyday, to respond to higher fuel prices, deteriorating roads and budget gridlock without an end in sight. We could build fuel-saving light rail for one-fifth the cost of the deadly toll roads being constructed! Save fuel, save lives and provide jobs at the same time! We can grow our economy with Rail and therefore grow revenue. Payment on the Federal debt is now second only to the Defense Department budget. Rail is a positive solution that cuts our dependency on foreign oil and lets us get out of the mess in Iraq. 44,000 Americans are killed on our roadways every year. 320,000 are maimed or injured. We need More Trains, Less Traffic.
How should the U.S. deal with current IMMIGRATION issues? Most immigrants are just trying to provide for their families and they contribute to the economy. In fact, we believe we will need legal immigrant labor to build Rail. We must abide by our existing laws and adequately fund enforcement.
Should the federal government ensure all Americans have access to affordable HEALTHCARE? Please explain. We believe that everyone in America should have access to affordable healthcare insurance. Just imagine being able to purchase +for about the price of a cell phone contract + a health care card that would enable health care for six months and purchased from the gift-card rack at the train station or grocery store! Building Rail will provide good-paying job and access to good paying jobs.

William B. Redpath

BIOGRAPHY: I am National Chairman of the Libertarian Party. I ran for the House of Delegates (1993), Virginia Senate (1998) and Governor (2001). I am a financial analyst specializing in media and telecommunications. Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst, and two business valuation designations. BA, Indiana University. MBA, University of Chicago.
What is the most critical ECONOMIC problem faced by the U.S. and what legislation will you propose to solve it?, The most critical economic problem facing the US is our aging population and the coming entitlement spending explosion. I support the Cato Institute's "6.2% Solution" for Social Security, in which individuals would be able to invest 6.2 percentage points of their payroll tax in personal accounts, with the employer's 6.2% paying for transition costs and disability and survivors' benefits. Under this plan, people would own their personal accounts and be able to pass them to heirs. This plan would help restore Social Security to long-term solvency and provide workers with higher benefits than would Social Security, although people who want to stay in the current Social Security system could do so. Social Security will run a deficit by 2017; Medicare is already doing that. Medicare needs to be reformed with prepaid Medicare accounts for workers. The prescription drug benefit should be repealed. Seniors should be allowed to opt out of Medicare without losing Social Security benefits or receive a voucher--that could be supplemented with private funds--to purchase health insurance from competing private insurers or to deposit in a Health Savings Account. Federal Medicaid spending should be frozen at current levels, distributed to states as unrestricted block grants, and phased out over time, with this program becoming the responsibility of the states.
How should the U.S. deal with current IMMIGRATION issues? There should be open, but regulated, immigration to the US. If someone has no criminal record, does not have a communicable disease and is not reasonably deemed a security threat, that person should be able to come to the US with a path to citizenship, including amnesty for those already here, provided that no welfare benefits are made available.
Should the federal government ensure all Americans have access to affordable HEALTHCARE? Please explain. No. It does not have that power in the Constitution. Additionally, health care is not a right, as it requires the talents and resources of other people.

5th District Congressional Candidates

The League of Women Voters of Fluvanna County and the League of Women Voters of Charlottesville/Albemarle sent questionnaires to the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 5th District whose names were qualified to appear or the November 4, 2008 ballot

Virgil Goode Jr.

BIOGRAPHY: Congressman Goode and his wife Lucy reside in Rocky Mount. He graduated from Franklin County High School, University of Richmond (B. A.) (1969), and the University of Virginia (J. D.) (1973). He served in the National Guard and was in the State Senate. He was elected to the House of Representatives (1996).
What do you believe are the most critical energy problems facing the U.S.? What legislation and/or other steps will you support to solve them? The United States must be free of foreign fossil fuel. I support drilling in Alaska and in the Outer Continental Shelf, solar, wind, biofuels, and other alternative energy programs, including nuclear so that our energy needs are met by domestic sources. I supported legislation that brought almost $2 million to Southern Virginia for a project that derives biofuels from switchgrass, miscanthus, and wood. The hydrogen fuel cell, biodiesel, and other alternatives have potential in making us much less dependent on foreign oil. I will continue to support tax credits for solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.
What are the most important things that should be done to improve our nation's economy? I have supported and will continue to support federal investment in the Fifth District of Virginia. Reasonably priced energy derived from domestic sources is vital to our economy. Preventing tax increases is important to our economy. Notwithstanding Democratic opposition, maintaining a maximum 15% rate for capital gains and dividends is vital for job growth and economic expansion. We need to reduce federal spending and pass the Balanced Budget Amendment. The National Taxpayers Union recognized me as being the lowest spending member of Congress.
What should the government do, if anything, to ensure that every American has health coverage? I support increased funding for research aimed at combating and curing illnesses such as diabetes, lupus, cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, MS, and heart disease. I support continued federal funding for community health centers in rural areas. These centers serve primarily the uninsured and underinsured. I also support refundable tax credits to assist persons in purchasing health insurance. I am also the chief sponsor of legislation that will create a national catastrophic health care fund for those that are uninsured. Citizens would have the option of contributing a portion of their tax refund for this fund.

Tom Perriello

BIOGRAPHY: Born and raised in the fifth district, Tom Perriello is a national security consultant and founder of faith-based organizations. Overseas, he has helped to bring warlords to justice, and back here at home he has brought together faith communities to work for issues like children's health care and decent wages.
What do you believe are the most critical energy problems facing the U.S.? What legislation and/or other steps will you support to solve them? Like winning the race to the moon, America must commit to energy independence in a generation. Three steps are: (1) Reward companies and consumers who invest in energy efficiency in their factories, automobiles, and homes. (2) Shift subsidies from Big Oil to alternative energies; and (3) Support interim measures such as increased drilling and tax rebates to families to survive winter heating bills. But Rep. Goode has consistently supported the Big Oil agenda and hindered energy independence by supporting billions in handouts to oil companies, opposing fuel efficiency requirements, and voting against bringing alternative fuels to market.
What are the most important things that should be done to improve our nation's economy? Bringing good jobs back to Virginia will be my number one priority in Congress. In July, I launched a seven-point plan for economic revival that focuses on support for small businesses, infrastructure, and workforce development. Under Rep. Goode's watch, Southside has lost over 10,000 jobs. The failed policies of the Bush-Goode economy have left the middle class getting crushed by skyrocketing energy and health care costs. We are in an economic crisis that earmarks, while helpful, won't be able to solve alone. Virginians want a hand up, not a handout, and that's what I will fight for in Washington.
What should the government do, if anything, to ensure that every American has health coverage? In our first forum together, Rep. Goode said there was nothing seriously wrong with our health care system. But the 47 million Americans without healthcare disagree, as do the 200 million of us who pay too much and still have to jump through too many hoops. Healthcare is a real crisis for the middle class and for the competitiveness of our businesses. I will fight for reducing costs, holding HMOs accountable, and negotiating cheaper drug prices. As long as Rep. Goode keeps taking money from the drug companies and HMOs, we won't see a serious challenge to the status quo.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: October 30, 2008 06:31 PDT.